Rene Russo joins cast of ‘Thor’

Actress set to play Frigga, mother of Norse hero

Rene Russo has joined the cast of “Thor,” with the actress set to play Frigga, the mother of Marvel Entertainment’s hammer-wielding Norse hero.

Kenneth Branagh is helming the actioner that starts lensing in January and stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Paramount will release the pic on May 20, 2011.

As the wife of Norse god Odin, to be played by Anthony Hopkins in the film, Frigga is the queen of Asgard. She’s also the mother of Thor and Loki, the pic’s primary villain, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston.

Natalie Portman is playing Thor’s love interest.

Mark Protosevich, Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller penned the script, which has the powerful but arrogant warrior Thor reigniting an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth.